The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-07-02
Miscellaneous.
GRAND JURY REPORT
VI FOR THE
May Term of the Circuit Court for Balti-
more County.

To the Honorable, the ia ees of thD Circuit
Court for baltimore County:
The Grand Jury for the May term, 1887, desire
to submit the following report: We have been in
session rs days, docketed 214 cases, examined 500
witnesses, found 122 presentments, 103 true bills,
dismissed 90 cases, released from Jail pris ,ners
and ignored 20 cases.
Our time, like that of so many of the Grand
Juries preceding US, was largely taken up with
violations of the Sunday laws. These violations
have become so notorious in certain parts of the
county to attract the attention of the press and
all worthy people living in the neighborhood. A
continuance of the neglect to enforce these laws
will certainly produce contempt for all law
Every effort should be made by all of the authorl-
ties particularly of the police force, while these
laws remain on our statute books, to enforce them
as strictly as any other law of the land. 1t has
been shown to the present Grand Jury that several
race courses are open on Sunday and the time
made by the horses reported in the daily papers
on Monday morning. That theatrical perform
ances, beer gardens, dance houses, &C., are in full
flush on Sunday. That clubs, organized for the
express purpose of evading these laws, with very
loose rules and methods for increasing their men,
bership, are in existence and open on Sunday,
whilst the law abiding saloon keeper must keep
his place closed. These places resorted to by
people from Baltimore who cannot find the same
entertainment in their own city, according to the
testimony of their Marshal of Police, who was ex-
prove to US that whilst the county police force
contains many worthy and efficient officers, some
of whom have been before US, as whole 1T is in
efficient and the of twenty-five thousand dol
lars expended for its maintenance every year is
wasted. This result is due in great extent to
the want of system and organization, many of the
officers testifying to that they had received no
orders to suppress these violations of the law from
the Marshal of Police of Baltimore county, in
marked contrast with the strict instructions given
| by tho Marshal of Baltimore to his subordinates
upon this subject. We think with proper effort on
the part of the police these violations of the law
| can be suppressed Constables in many cases in
| formed us that they did not go away from home
on Sunday, but that they knew liquor was sold on
| that day. We think all constables should be in
| structed to examine the premises of all persons
| holding ordinary licenses and whether the
| law in reference to having the necessary accom-
| modations for man and beast is being complied
with. Many of the constables seem to be in doubt
| as to their authority in this matter and it mi ght
| be necessary to ask for additional legislation.
committee visited the almshouse and re-
spectfully call your attention to the report here.
with submitted. The recommendations made
by the Grand Jury of the December term in refer
ence to accommodations for the insane are fully
| concurred in by this Jury. We cannot see why
proposals for all supplies to this institution, as
we'll as the Jail, should not be advertised for and
the bid of the lowest responsible bidder be ac-
| cepted.
The Grand Jury visited the Jail in body, with
out giving the Sheriff any notice of our intention
to do so, consequently we have right to conclude
that the clearly condition in which found it
was its usual condition Clean as we found it. it
is the unanimous opinion of the Jury that the
building is a disgrace to Baltimore county. We
found thirty five prisoners confined in twenty -four
cells, and we are Informed this is rather a smaller
number than usual. The total space for exercise
| is brick paved area only 35x24 feet. Into this,
at certain hours of the day, all the prisoners must
| be crowded. The dampness of the whole of this
space is perceptible. The pipes from the water
closets in the cells are exposed and seem to leak
in many places dropping into this brick area and
! there must be more or less foul gas. The masonry
of the walls is very poor and none of the cells are
secure. The floors of some of the cells really
below the surface of the ground and receive some
of the drainage from it. This building is unsafe,
| unhealthy and in every way behind the age and
behind the jails of neighboring counties 1t is
the unanimous opinion Of this Jury that it is a
waste of money to attempt to repair it, and that
steps should be at once taken to build new one.
| We desire to call the attention of the proper
authorities to the loose manner of making commit
| ments by some of the magistrates. Many of them
| have been sent to us without a single witness
Particularly is this the case with persons arrested
for vagrancy. They are sometimes confined in
Jail for long time without any proof against
| them.
committee made thorough examination of
the books of the Treasurer. The report of the
same is herewith submitted.
We desire to thank your Honors, the States
Attorney and other officers of the Court for their
uniform kindness and assistance to US.
WALTER S. FRANKLIN, Foreman.